How to Use Guide: Backup Assistant
Last Update: 1/20/2011
Backup Assistant is a wireless service that saves a copy of your device's address book to a
secure website. If your device is lost, stolen, damaged or replaced, Backup Assistant restores
your saved address book to a new device wirelessly.
Step 1
Verify If Your Device Is Compatible
Step 2
Install / Set Up Backup Assistant
Step 3
Backup Contacts
Step 4
Restore Contacts
Step 5
Manage Contacts Online with the Backup Assistant
Website
Step 6
Troubleshooting
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Step 1
Verify If Your Device Is Compatible
If you have a My Verizon account, sign in and go to the Backup Assistant Media Store* page to
see if Backup Assistant is available for your device.
Or
Refer to the information below to determine if your device is compatible.
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Feature phone: Backup Assistant is compatible with Feature Phones.
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Android™: Available on all devices except Motorola DROID, Motorola Devour™, or HTC
DROID Eris.
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BlackBerry®: Available on all devices except these older models.
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Windows Mobile®: Not available on Windows Mobile devices.
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Palm OS®: Not available on Palm OS devices.
If your device is not compatible, click on your device OS below for steps on backing up and
restoring contacts:
*Business Customers: the Backup Assistant website link will take you to Media Center where
you will need to sign in; this is not your My Business Account or Verizon Enterprise Center login.
If you are not already registered for Media Center, you will need to click on the “Register” link
below the “Sign In” button, and follow the prompts. If you are unable to register, contact your
company’s Wireless Program Manager. Please note that not all companies enable access to the
applications in Media Center.
Droid is a trademark of Lucasfilms Ltd and its related companies. Used under license
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Step 2
Install / Set Up Backup Assistant
The instructions below are general instructions about setting up and installing Backup Assistant.
To find instructions for a specific device, use the “Search” box at the top of the page. Enter your
device name and “backup assistant” (for example: “htc incredible backup assistant”) to see if
there are instructions for your device.
Android & BlackBerry
Backup Assistant will already be installed on compatible Android and BlackBerry devices.
To open Backup Assistant, find and click on the Backup Assistant icon in your device’s
application menu.
Feature Phone
For Feature phones, Backup Assistant will be available through Media Center or Get it Now.
To set up and install on a feature phone:
1. Select "Get it Now" or "Media Center" from the device's menu, then select either "Tools
on the go" or "Browse & Download.”
2. Select "Get New App" or "Get New Application.”
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Step 2 (cont’d)
Install / Set Up Backup Assistant
3. Select "Featured Applications" or "Business/Tools.”
4. Select "Backup Assistant" and press “OK.”
5. Follow the simple instructions on your device.
6. Sign in to My Verizon and go to the Backup Assistant page to view and manage your
contacts online.
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Step 3
Backup Contacts
The instructions below are general instructions about backing up your contacts from your device.
To find instructions for a specific device, use the “Search” box box at the top of the page. Enter
your device name and “backup assistant” (for example: “htc incredible backup assistant”) to see if
there are instructions for your device.
Perform a manual backup
Note: Steps to backup contacts may vary based on device.
1. Open the Backup Assistant application on your device.
2. Select “Backup Now.”
Schedule daily recurring backups
1. Open the Backup Assistant app on your device.
2. Select “Options” > “Schedule” or for some devices you would select “Recurring Sync.”
3. You can choose from the following times:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late Night
4. An automatic backup will only occur if there have been changes to your device's address
book since your last backup.
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Step 4
Restore Contacts
After switching to a new device, you will need to restore your backed up contacts. The
instructions below are general instructions about restoring contacts to a new device. To find
instructions for a specific device, use the “Search” box at the top of the page. Enter your device
name and “backup assistant” (for example: “htc incredible backup assistant”) to see if there are
instructions for your device.
Please note that you can only restore contacts to your new device with Backup Assistant if:
•
You backed up your contacts with Backup Assistant on your previous device.
•
Your new device is compatible with Backup Assistant.
To restore contacts:
Note: Steps to restore contacts may vary based on device.
1. Access Backup Assistant on your device.
2. Enter your PIN when asked, and click “OK” or “Restore.” Your device will then sync with
the Backup Assistant server. Any contacts on the server will transfer to your device, and
any new contacts on your device will be backed up to the server. Backup Assistant setup
is now complete.
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Step 5
Manage Contacts Online with the Backup Assistant
Website
If you have an active Backup Assistant account, you can sign in and manage your contacts via
the Backup Assistant website. To sign in, enter your My Verizon user ID and password.
On the first visit to the Backup Assistant website you will be prompted to register with My Verizon,
unless you are already registered.
From your Backup Assistant web address book, all data from your last successful backup is
displayed. You can view, add, print, edit and delete contacts from the address book.
Quick Links
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Sync Contacts
Add a New Contact
Delete Contacts
Restore Deleted Contacts
Import Contacts
Export Contacts
Print Contact Information
Add a Photo to Contacts
Manage Mobile Groups
o Add a new Mobile Group
o Add contacts to a Mobile Group
o Remove contacts from a Mobile Group
o View contacts in a Mobile Group
o Rename a Mobile Group
o Delete a Mobile Group
Sync Contacts
To sync contacts from the Backup Assistant website, click on the “Sync” button in the upper right
side of the page.
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Step 5 (cont’d)
Manage Contacts Online with the Backup Assistant
Website
Add a New Contact
1. Go to "Add New Contact" on the right side of your screen. You have the option to prepopulate name, email address or phone number, and then click the "New" button, or you
can just click the "New" button to create a new contact.
2. Enter the contact name and appropriate company information.
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Step 5 (cont’d)
Manage Contacts Online with the Backup Assistant
Website
3. Select the desired field then enter the appropriate information:
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Mobile numbers
Home numbers
Work numbers
Other numbers
Email addresses
Addresses
Messaging & websites
Notes & other
ICE contacts
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Step 5 (cont’d)
Manage Contacts Online with the Backup Assistant
Website
Delete Contacts
Delete a Single Contact (move to trash)
Mouse over the contact you would like to delete. Click the "Delete" action button to move the
contact from your address book to the “Trash” tab.
Delete Multiple Contacts (move to trash)
1. To delete multiple contacts at the same time, hover over a contact then click the "Select"
action button.
2. Repeat this for each of the desired contacts. After you have selected the desired
contacts, click the "Delete" action button on any of the selected contacts to move your
contacts from the address book to the "Trash" tab.
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Step 5 (cont’d)
Manage Contacts Online with the Backup Assistant
Website
Delete All Contacts (move to trash)
1. To delete all contacts from your address book, you can click the "Select All" link.
2. Click the "Delete" action button on any of the selected contacts to move your contacts
from the address book to the "Trash" tab.
3. Click the "Sync" button on the right of your screen and any remaining contacts in your
address book will be synced to your device
Permanently delete contacts from the trash
1. Click on the “Trash” tab.
2. Hover your mouse over the contact, and click “Permanently Delete.”
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Step 5 (cont’d)
Manage Contacts Online with the Backup Assistant
Website
Restore Deleted Contacts
1. From your Backup Assistant web address book, go to the "Trash" tab on the left side of
your screen.
2. Mouse over a contact, and then click "Undelete.” The contact will be restored to your
contact list.
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Step 5 (cont’d)
Manage Contacts Online with the Backup Assistant
Website
Import Contacts
1. Click the “Import Contacts” link on the right side of the screen. You will be able to
browse to the file you want to import.
Supported file formats are:
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vCard 2.1
vCard 3.0
Outlook .CSV
Backup Assistant .CSV
2. Select the "Import" button.
Note: During the import process, you will be presented with field mapping options. You
can make changes and then click “Import” button to complete the import process or click
the “Import” button without making any field mapping changes to complete the import
process. You also can cancel if you decide that you don’t wish to import the selected file.
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Step 5 (cont’d)
Manage Contacts Online with the Backup Assistant
Website
3. To cancel, select the "Never mind" link.
Note: Contact import is intended to populate an empty address book. Importing contacts to
an existing address book may result in duplicates.
Export Contacts
Note: Contacts can be exported to a comma separated values (*.csv) file only.
1. Click "Select All" link.
2. Click the "Actions Menu" then click "Export Contacts.”
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Step 5 (cont’d)
Manage Contacts Online with the Backup Assistant
Website
3. Select the desired export file format then click OK.
4. Click "Save".
5. Select the location you want to save the file to and then click "Save.”
Print Contact Information
Print a Single Contact
1. Hover your mouse over the contact you would like to print.
2. Click the “Actions” button.
3. Select “Print” from the drop down menu.
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Step 5 (cont’d)
Manage Contacts Online with the Backup Assistant
Website
Print Multiple Contacts
To print multiple contacts at the same time:
1. Hover your mouse over the desired contact then click the “Select” button. Repeat this for
each of the desired contacts.
2. After you have selected all of the desired contacts for printing, click the “Actions” button
and then select Print from the drop down menu.
Print All Contacts
To print all contacts from your address book:
1. Click the “Select All” link in your address book.
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Step 5 (cont’d)
Manage Contacts Online with the Backup Assistant
Website
2. Click on “Print” in the action drop down menu.
Note: You will have the option to print the contacts in two ways: Print Cards or Print Contact
details.
Add a Photo to Contacts
Notes:
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Contact images will not synchronize to your device.
Only.JPG, .GIF or .PNG image format are supported.
To add an avatar from the Backup Assistant website:
1. Hover over the desired contact and click the “Edit” action button.
2. Click "Add Photo."
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Step 5 (cont’d)
Manage Contacts Online with the Backup Assistant
Website
3. Click on the desired avatar on the right.
4. Click “OK.”
To add a personal photo:
1. Hover over the desired contact and click the “Edit” action button.
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Step 5 (cont’d)
Manage Contacts Online with the Backup Assistant
Website
2. Click "Add Photo".
3. Click on "Upload Picture.”
4. Navigate to the desired picture on your computer; then click "Open.”
5. Crop as desired.
6. Click “OK.”
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Step 5 (cont’d)
Manage Contacts Online with the Backup Assistant
Website
Manage Mobile Groups
Mobile Groups are a convenient way to organize and communicate with wireless contacts. Not all
devices support Mobile Groups.
Note: Mobile Groups you create will not sync to or appear on your device.
Add a new Mobile Group:
1. Click "New Group" link.
2. Enter the group name then click "Save.”
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Step 5 (cont’d)
Manage Contacts Online with the Backup Assistant
Website
Add contacts to a Mobile Group:
1. Hover over a Mobile Group name, click the "Actions" menu then click "Add People.”
2. Select the desired contacts.
3. Click OK.
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Step 5 (cont’d)
Manage Contacts Online with the Backup Assistant
Website
Remove contacts from a Mobile Group:
1. Hover over a Mobile Group name, click the "Actions" menu then click "Add People.”
2. Click the check mark next to the contact(s) to be removed then click OK.
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Step 5 (cont’d)
Manage Contacts Online with the Backup Assistant
Website
View contacts in a Mobile Group:
1. Hover over and then click on the desired Mobile Group.
2. Mobile group contacts will appear in the center of the page.
Rename the Mobile Group:
1. Hover over a Mobile Group, click the "Actions" menu then click "Rename.”
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Step 5 (cont’d)
Manage Contacts Online with the Backup Assistant
Website
2. Enter the new name of the Mobile Group then click "Save.”
Delete the Mobile Group:
1. Hover over a Mobile Group, click the "Actions" menu then click "Delete.”
2. Click OK.
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Step 6
Troubleshooting
The information below is general troubleshooting. For troubleshooting specific to a device, you
may also refer to the “Community” Support Forum. This is a helpful place to find solutions or to
post your own questions.
Address Book Field Issues
While most address book fields are supported by Backup Assistant, there are some address book
fields and settings that are not. The following fields and settings are not supported because there
is no application read or write access:
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Groups/Category
Ringer
SMS Ringer
Picture ID
Secret
Speed Dial
Voice Dial
These are not backed up, if you do a restore, the backed up fields are written to the device and all
non-supported fields will be empty. You will need to reset these for each contact.
Backup Assistant Web Issues/Constraints
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Valid phone field characters: 0123456789*#PT.
Valid email field characters: Must contain @ and ".".
Contacts must have a first name or last name or company name.
Contacts must have a phone number or email address.
The Backup Assistant Service may be terminated immediately without liability upon sending
notice to the email address you provided during your registration. You may end your use of the
Backup Assistant Service at any time by terminating service with Verizon Wireless or removing
the Backup Assistant application from your device. No refunds shall be granted for any fees paid
in advance. Upon termination you will no longer have access to data, messages, files and other
material you previously stored.
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